As Halloween crowds flock to Seongsu-dong, police launch a dedicated desk for foreign visitors

[Financial News] Ahead of Halloween, Seoul Seongdong Police Station is moving to strengthen public safety in Seongsu-dong, which draws large numbers of foreign tourists. It will set up a dedicated police desk for foreign visitors to improve its response to reports, while also carrying out crime-prevention activities using AI-powered autonomous patrol robots.
Seoul Seongdong Police Station announced on the 28th that it will operate “Police Pop-up,” a dedicated police desk for foreign visitors, for three days from the 30th through the 1st of next month, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Ginkgo Tree Site Children’s Park on Seongsu Cafe Street in Seongdong District.
The measure comes amid growing concerns about safety incidents caused by crowding and the risk of crime during Halloween, as the number of foreign tourists visiting Seongsu-dong has surged.
According to the Korea Tourism Data Lab, the foreign floating population in the Seongsu-dong area reached about 910,000 in the first half of this year, about 2.8 times the 330,000 recorded in the same period last year. As Seongsu Cafe Street has emerged as a tourist destination packed with pop-up stores and fashion and accessories shops, the number of foreign visitors is also rising rapidly.
Seongdong Police Station has designated the Seongsu-dong area as an enhanced crime-prevention zone and is carrying out special safety measures to prepare for knife crimes targeting unspecified members of the public and safety incidents caused by crowding.
With foreign tourists expected to converge on the area during Halloween in particular, the police plan to focus on overcoming language barriers and improving their ability to respond on the scene.
Officers fluent in foreign languages will be assigned to Police Pop-up. If a 112 report or complaint from a foreign tourist is received, they will accompany officers at the scene, provide interpretation and help ensure a swift response.
Tourists will also be given safety guidance using QR codes to help prevent accidents. Crime-prevention materials, including portable emergency alarms and whistles, will also be provided.
AI-powered autonomous patrol robots will also be deployed. Seongdong Police Station will work with an autonomous robot company based in Seongsu-dong to deploy patrol robots at the site. The station also plans to use the robots to distribute safety promotional materials, including emergency alarms and whistles.
Seongdong Police Chief Kang Yong-jun said, “We will continue to work with relevant agencies and public safety partners to strengthen safety nets at places where large crowds gather, and improve public safety services with local characteristics in mind, including those of Seongsu Cafe Street, to make Seongdong District a safer place.” 
[email protected] Lee Dong-hyuk Reporter